ARRIVAL: August 10, 2018

DEPARTURE: August 21, 2018

DURATION: 12 Days

ARRIVAL CITY: Pereira

DEPARTURE CITY: Pereira

COST: $1795

Volunteers will be working in ISL partner communities to provide global health services to those in need. While in Colombia they will also have the opportunity to learn valuable skills and explore the cultural landscape in a meaningful way.

Global Health Teams

ISL’s global health teams are interdisciplinary and able to provide a variety of general medicine, nursing, pharmacy, public health, healthcare management, and nutrition services in developing communities. From urban centers to small towns and villages in remote areas, our teams work in various settings to provide field clinics in which patient needs are assessed and acute conditions are treated.

Regardless of background, volunteers are able to receive an invaluable opportunity to not only interactively observe health professionals in action, but to actively assist with important aspects of health care under careful supervision. Our holistic approach makes ISL’s global health teams ideal for students of the health professions at all education levels.

Colombia

Colombia is the second most biodiverse country in the world and is experiencing economic and cultural transition with its recently found civil peace and growing trade with the U.S. Urban areas have made great strides in reducing poverty and providing health care, but rural areas are still in great need of health care, education, and development support.

Equatorial Colombia is situated at the meeting place of Central and South America, and is the only country on the continent of South America with coastlines on both the Pacific Ocean and Caribbean Sea. Tourists are drawn to Colombia’s clean tropical beaches, lush rain forests, snow-capped Andean mountain peaks and fertile coffee plantations. ISL teams serve in the heart of rural coffee plantation country in the central cordillera of the Andes, at an elevation of just under 4500 feet, where the yearly average temperature is a pleasant 78 degrees.

*All Inclusive programs include all meals and recreation, so bring funds only to cover personal spending and departure tax.

Meet the Staff

Glen Galindo

Country Coordinator

Glen says working with ISL as a Country Coordinator for Colombia is his dream come true. Glen has more than 20 years of experience in higher education and is a former US Marine Corps officer and director for a logistics support company. He enjoys facilitating safe & fun learning experiences for ISL volunteers and making a difference in the lives of the people of Colombia.

Stiven Lopez

Bilingual Assistant

Stiven is a home-town talent from Chinchina as a gifted artist and actor. He is a big fan of English music and movies. Within Chinchina, Stiven is known as an up and coming young leader engaged in various civic initiatives, primarily in music and theater. He is particularly excited to have the opportunity to share his beloved Colombia with our visiting volunteers.

Daniel Sterner

Bilingual Assistant

Daniel graduated in Health Services Administration from James Madison University. He then worked for INOVA Health System for two years before coming to Colombia to teach English and master his Spanish. He plans on applying his background in health management as he grows within the ISL Colombia leadership team. Daniel is an all-around athlete and enjoys sharing his passion for health and travel with ISL volunteers.

Aidee Ospina

Co-Country Coordinator

Aidee grew up in the coffee region of Colombia, where ISL’s sustainable Colombian work sites are located. Her past experience organizing teams of youth and women to solve community challenges throughout Colombia makes her an excellent choice as an ISL Team Leader.

Dr. Ricardo Quintero

Medical Educator

Dr. Q is in his second year of rural medicine. He is passionate about providing medical care to Colombian coffee farm communities. He speaks English fluently due to his extensive studies in Australia.

Dr. Jorge Garcia

Medical Educator

Dr. G is a faculty member at the Universidad of Caldas School of Medicine in Colombia, the faculty adviser for the Colombian Student Medical Association, and the founder of a healthcare insurance start-up providing low-cost healthcare services. His passion is teaching and he is responsible for the workshops provided for ISL volunteers. He speaks English fluently and has traveled extensively in Europe and Asia.